University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Central Arkansas
Panthers Wrap Up Day Two At UCA Invite
2/23/2013 1:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Northern Iowa softball team came up on the short end of a pair of games today in the Central Arkansas Invitational.
The Panthers fell to Ball State, 9-3. The Panthers also lost to Central Arkansas, 16-2, in five innings.
In game one, he Panthers took a 9-3 loss to Ball State. Jamie Fisher took the circle hoping to bounce back from her loss on Friday night to Central Arkansas. Fisher got the Panthers off to a fast start striking out her first four batters and not allowing a hit until the fourth inning. Cooling off in the third, Fisher allowed runs in three consecutive innings before she was replaced in the sixth. Fisher went five innings giving up six hits, six runs and struck out six . Freshman Mackenzie Flaws pitched the final two innings in relief.
On the offensive side of the plate the Panthers found difficulties collecting hits throughout the game. Quiet through the first four innings, the UNI bats came alive in the fifth. Samantha Reimer and Melissa Walls got the inning started with a walk and single. Second baseman Julia Hunter followed with a three-run homer over the left center-field fence pulling the Panthers to within three, 6-3. Hunter finished the day going two-for-three at the plate with a team-high three RBI.
In game two, the Panthers were outmatched the Central Arkansas Bears, 16-2. UNI struggled defensively to contain the UCA bats as the Panthers allowed 13 first-inning runs for the Bears.
UNI's offense was limited to four hits. Freshmen Caitlin Wnek put the Panthers on the board in the first inning taking advantage of a UCA error. Junior Nicole Fisher tacked on a score of her own in the second inning with her third home run on the weekend as she connected for a solo shot over the right-field fence. Fisher's homer capped the scoring for the Panthers on the afternoon.
On the defensive side, the Panthers started the game with newcomer Ellie Doughty in the circle. Doughty faced only four batters and allowing four runs with three walks. Abbie VanVleet relieved Doughty and tossed three innings allowing ten hits, 12 runs andtwo strikeouts.
Mackenzie Flaws replaced VanVleet in the top of the fourth. Flaws tossed two innings to close out the contest. Flaws allowed two his and no runs in her relieve appearance.
The Bears went on to defeat the Panthers, 16-2, in just five innings.
UNI (4-10 overall) will take the field again tomorrow afternoon at 11 a.m. to wrap up the final day of the Central Arkansas Invitational facing the Lady Lions of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
